Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and an apparatus for producing powder particles by atomization of a feed material in the form of an elongated member such as a wire, a rod or a filled tube. The feed material is introduced in a plasma torch. A forward portion of the feed material is moved from the plasma torch into an atomization nozzle of the plasma torch. A forward end of the feed material is surface melted by exposure to one or more plasma jets formed in the atomization nozzle. The one or more plasma jets being includes an annular plasma jet, a plurality of converging plasma jets, or a combination of an annular plasma jet with a plurality of converging plasma jets. Powder particles obtained using the process and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A caster assembly configured to process and store a material includes a reaction chamber, a storage assembly configured to store material processed in the reaction chamber, and a blower configured to process and store the material. The reaction chamber includes a vessel configured to hold the material in a melted state prior to processing and a powder generating assembly configured to receive the material from the melting vessel. The powder generating assembly includes a feeding chamber and a feeding device disposed at least partially within the feeding chamber. The feeding device includes at least one nozzle configured to inject inert fluid, where the fluid is a gas, liquid, or combination of the two into the feeding chamber and a material inlet through which the material is configured to flow into the feeding chamber to be exposed to the inert fluid, where the fluid is a gas, liquid, or combination of the two.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to applying magnetohydrodynamic forces to liquid metal to eject liquid metal along a controlled pattern, such as a controlled three-dimensional pattern as part of additive manufacturing of an object. Nozzles associated with these devices, systems, and methods include a combination of materials suitable for withstanding prolonged exposure to high temperatures associated with certain liquid metals while facilitating efficient delivery of current to produce magnetohydrodynamic forces controllable over a range of frequencies associated with commercially viable three-dimensional fabrication.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for granulating a metal melt. The apparatus substantially comprises a round water tank, into which water is injected in a tangential direction with the aid of a number of nozzles, so that the water in the tank rotates and forms a parabolic surface. The nozzles are arranged such that they are distributed in height and around the circumference of the tank wall. The uppermost nozzle is located in the region of the surface of the water and produces a stream of water or fan of water lying in the surface of the water. For granulating a metal melt, it is poured continuously from a melting crucible into the stream of water or fan of water of the uppermost nozzle.

Abstract: A method of producing water-insoluble anti-cancer drug in the form of particulates, the method including preparing a water-insoluble anti-cancer drug having at least one multiple bond in the structure, and irradiating said water-insoluble anti-cancer drug with a laser beam having a wavelength of a low absorption portion in the vicinity of the foot of an absorption curve on the long wavelength side within the absorption band until said water-insoluble anti-cancer drug is formed into particulates having an average particle diameter of 50 to 200 nm.

Abstract: A method for producing metallic magnesium by vacuum circulating silicothermic process and apparatus thereof The method comprises the following steps: passing molten ferrosilicon (109) of 1350˜1600° C. and magnesium ore powder containing magnesia blended therein through a vacuum container (104) with a vacuum of 350˜10000 Pa periodically in a manner of circulating flow, and collecting liquid magnesium (201), i.e. the magnesium vapor released upon condensing. The apparatus comprises a heating container (101) and a vacuum container (104) connected with an elevating dip pipe (102) and a falling dip pipe (103) whose lower ends immersed into the molten ferrosilicon (109) in the heating container (101). An inert gas blowing device is inserted into the elevating dip pipe (102) wall. The method and apparatus thereof can improve productivity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots are disclosed. A material comprising at least one of a metal and a metallic alloy is introduced into a pressure-regulated chamber in a melting assembly. The material is subjected to a wide-area electron field within the pressure-regulated chamber to heat the material to a temperature above the melting temperature of the material to form a molten alloy. At least one stream of molten alloy from the pressure-regulated chamber is provided from the melting assembly and is fed into an atomizing assembly, where particles of the molten alloy are generated by impinging electrons on the molten alloy to atomize the molten alloy. At least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field are produced to influence the particles of the molten alloy. The particles of the molten alloy are deposited onto a collector in a spray forming operation to form an alloy ingot.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion reactor for nanopowders, a synthesis apparatus for nanopowders using the combustion reactor, and a method of controlling the synthesis apparatus. The combustion reactor for nanopowders comprises an oxidized gas supply nozzle connected to an oxidized gas tube; a gas supply unit supplying a fuel gas and a precursor gas; and a reaction nozzle forming concentricity on an inner wall of the oxidized gas supply nozzle to be connected to the gas supply unit and having an inlet opening for supplying an oxidized gas disposed at a region adjacent to a jet orifice for spraying flames.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for producing a variable, known number of nanoparticles of various materials in an expanding mist in a vacuum or enclosure. The configurations allow for this mist of small particles to be produced in bursts, at repetition rates over a wide range of frequencies. The technique produces an isotropically expanding mist of particles. Direct applications of the invention can be used for the development of high power short wavelength incoherent light sources for applications in EUV lithography (EUVL), advanced microscopy, precision metrology, and other fields.

Abstract: A metal powder manufacturing device for manufacturing a metal powder includes a feed for supplying a molten metal, a fluid spout unit, and a course modification unit. The fluid spout unit further includes a channel and an orifice. The channel is provided below the feed, allowing passing of the molten metal supplied from the feed. The orifice is opened at a bottom end of the channel, spouting a fluid into the channel. The above course modification unit is provided below the fluid spout unit, and forcibly changes the traveling direction of a dispersion liquid. This dispersion liquid is composed of multiple fine droplets dispersed into the fluid. The above droplets are a resultant of a breakup caused by a contact between the molten metal and the fluid ejected from the orifice. Here, the dispersion liquid is transported so that the droplets is cooled and solidified in the dispersion liquid in order to manufacture the metal powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved alkali metal dispenser which is pure and free of contaminant gases, and provides for controlled releasing, delivery and recycling of the alkali metal in multiple stages in a controlled manner. The present invention also provides an alkali metal pump or getter.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus is capable of efficiently producing fine metal powder with a uniform particle size. The metal powder produced by the apparatus has an increased quality. The apparatus (atomizer) makes use of an atomizing method to pulverize molten metal into metal powder. The apparatus includes a supply part (tundish) for supplying the molten metal, a nozzle provided below the supply part, a tubular member provided between the supply part and the nozzle. The tubular member is constructed to ensure that the molten metal ejected from an ejection port passes through a bore of the tubular member and then makes contact with a fluid jet. Further, the tubular member has a top end air-tightly connected to the supply part and a bottom end lying around the midway of a first flow path through which the molten metal passes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing fine particles. According to the production method, a molten material 1 which has been formed by melting a raw material to be formed into fine particles is supplied in the form of droplets 1a or a jet flow to a liquid coolant 3, and a vapor film formed so as to cover the molten material supplied to the liquid coolant 3 is forcedly broken to promote vapor explosion, thereby forming and cooling fine particles for solidification. The production method and apparatus can readily produce fine particles from a raw material having a high melting point, and can relatively readily produce submicron fine particles—such particles are difficult to produce by mean of the previously developed technique. The method and apparatus can produce amorphous fine particles, or polycrystalline fine particles having a target particle size by regulating conditions for fine particle formation and for cooling-solidification.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for producing shot from molten material, in which two or more sprays of inert gas, such as an upper or primary spray followed by one or more lower or secondary sprays, are used to break apart large molten droplets into shot as the molten material is dropped from a crucible orifice. The upper or primary gas feed in one application acts to initially break the stream or droplets into initial droplets of a lesser size or to flatten the droplets, with the second spray then breaking up the intermediate droplets into yet smaller shot particles to be cooled and collected.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for producing powder particles of extremely small, highly uniform spherical shape and high sphericity, composed of metal including single metals and alloys, including nanocomposite structures, using a self-assembling procedure. The invention further includes the produced spherical particles. The metal spherical particles are produced whereby molten metal, alloys or composites are directed onto a fast-rotating disk in an atmosphere containing one or more inert gases and small amounts of an oxidizing gas and the molten metal drops are dispersed as tiny droplets for a predetermined time using centrifugal force within a cooling-reaction gas, and then cooled rapidly to form solid spherical particles. The spherical particles comprise a crystalline, amorphous or porous composition, having a size of 1-300 ?m±1% with a uniformity of size being ?60-70% and a precise spherical shape of less than or equal to ±10%.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for high volume production of nanoparticles, nanotubes, and items incorporating nanoparticles and nanotubes. Microwave, radio frequency, or infrared energy vaporizes a metal catalyst which, as it condenses, is contacted by carbon or other elements such as silicon, germanium, or boron to form agglomerates. The agglomerates may be annealed to accelerate the production of nanotubes. Magnetic or electric fields may be used to align the nanotubes during their production. The nanotubes may be separated from the production byproducts in aligned or non-aligned configurations. The agglomerates may be formed directly into tools, optionally in compositions that incorporate other materials such as abrasives, binders, carbon-carbon composites, and cermets.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus is capable of efficiently producing fine metal powder with a uniform particle size. The metal powder produced by the apparatus has an increased quality. The apparatus (atomizer) makes use of an atomizing method to pulverize molten metal into metal powder. The apparatus includes a supply part (tundish) for supplying the molten metal, a nozzle provided below the supply part, a tubular member provided between the supply part and the nozzle. The tubular member is constructed to ensure that the molten metal ejected from an ejection port passes through a bore of the tubular member and then makes contact with a fluid jet. Further, the tubular member has a top end air-tightly connected to the supply part and a bottom end lying around the midway of a first flow path through which the molten metal passes.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing silver nano-particle material. The apparatus includes a furnace containing a crucible for vaporizing a precursor material, as well as, a conduit disposed in perpendicular to the crucible. An inlet end of the conduit is open to the mixing region created between the conduit and the crucible. A process gas supply is also operatively associated with the mixing region.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus includes a supply part for supplying molten metal and a nozzle provided below the supply part. The nozzle is provided with a flow path defined by an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle through which the molten metal supplied from the supply part can pass. The inner circumferential surface of the nozzle has a gradually reducing inner diameter portion whose inner diameter is gradually reduced in a downward direction. The nozzle is further provided with an orifice opened at a bottom end of the flow path and adapted to inject water toward the flow path. The nozzle has a first member having the gradually reducing inner diameter portion and a second member provided below the first member with a space left between the first member and the second member. The orifice is defined by the first member and the second member. A heat absorption body is provided on the first member.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus includes a supply part for supplying molten metal and a nozzle having a first member and a second member by which an orifice for injecting water is defined. The first member has a gradually reducing inner diameter portion. A heat insulating layer for cutting off radiant heat emitted from the molten metal is formed on the gradually reducing inner diameter portion of the first member. the nozzle is configured to ensure that the gradually reducing inner diameter portion is prevented, under an action of the heat insulating layer, from being thermally deformed by the radiant heat of the molten metal but a region of the first member near the orifice is thermally deformed in such a direction as to reduce a size of the orifice by absorbing the radiant heat of the molten metal, whereby the orifice can be restrained from being enlarged by the pressure of the water passing through the orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing nano-sized Fe powder having a polymer coated layer on a surface thereof, so as to prevent the nano-sized Fe powder from being oxidized under atmosphere. The method includes: gasifying an iron pentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)5) or an iron acetate ((CH3CO2)2Fe) precursor in a ceramic bubbler; forming nano-sized Fe particles due to the crystallization of Fe gas while mixing the gasified precursor with Ar gas in a reactor; and precipitating the nano-sized Fe particles in a polymer solution in a chamber, before the nano-sized Fe particles are oxidized. According to this technique, Fe powder on the order of tens of nms in size, and having a polymer coated layer, are obtained from the Fe precursor. A system for producing the nano-sized Fe powder is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electroslag-cold hearth (ESCH) system for refining or producing a desired metal or metal alloy is described. The system includes at least one cold hearth vessel capable of holding a pool of molten liquid metal and an overlying slag layer, and an ingot mold laterally off-set from the cold hearth. A source of raw material, e.g., a feed electrode, is positioned above the cold hearth, and fed into the molten slag in a refining operation. A flow-over dam separates the ingot mold from the cold hearth, preventing the flow of inclusions and other foreign bodies into the ingot mold. In some instances, a non-consumable electrode provides additional thermal energy to the slag. In the production operation, the metal source can be a salt from which the desired metal can be electrochemically extracted. Related methods for refining or producing metals such as titanium alloys are also described.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus for powder, and a plasma processing method of powder, in which a powder supply nozzle is provided to supply a powder material into plasma flame generated inside a high-frequency coil, the powder supply nozzle arranged substantially radially centrally of the high-frequency coil comprises a revolving flow forming device, for example, a spiral-shaped plate, to cause a carrier gas and the powder material to form therein a revolving flow with an axis thereof directed axially of the high-frequency coil, and the revolving flow is discharged from an outlet at an end of the nozzle. More preferably, a transition space is provided between the outlet at the end of the nozzle and the revolving flow forming device, and the outlet at the end of the nozzle is made small in diameter.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus includes a supply part for supplying molten metal and a nozzle provided below the supply part. The nozzle is provided with a flow path through which the molten metal supplied from the supply part can pass, the flow path having a gradually reducing inner diameter portion whose inner diameter is gradually reduced in a downward direction. The nozzle is further provided with an orifice opened at a bottom end of the flow path and adapted to inject fluid toward the flow path. The nozzle has a first member and a second member provided below the first member with a space left between the first member and the second member, wherein the orifice is defined by the first member and the second member. A clamp for restraining the orifice from being enlarged by the pressure of the fluid passing through the orifice is provided on the nozzle.

Abstract: A method for the production of solid particles from a liquid medium includes the steps of forming a liquid film between an impact screen and an impact mass, the screen having an opening therethrough, moving the impact mass to effect a mechanical impulse on the film, such that a part of the film is discharged through the opening in droplet form. The discharged liquid droplets are moved to a solidification medium wherein the liquid droplets are solidified to form solid particles.

Abstract: A metal powder manufacturing device for manufacturing a metal powder includes a feed for supplying a molten metal, a fluid spout unit, and a course modification unit. The fluid spout unit further includes a channel and an orifice. The channel is provided below the feed, allowing passing of the molten metal supplied from the feed. The orifice is opened at a bottom end of the channel, spouting a fluid into the channel. The above course modification unit is provided below the fluid spout unit, and forcibly changes the traveling direction of a dispersion liquid. This dispersion liquid is composed of multiple fine droplets dispersed into the fluid. The above droplets are a resultant of a breakup caused by a contact between the molten metal and the fluid ejected from the orifice. Here, the dispersion liquid is transported so that the droplets is cooled and solidified in the dispersion liquid in order to manufacture the metal powder.

Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus is capable of efficiently producing fine metal powder with a uniform particle size. The metal powder produced by the apparatus has an increased quality. The apparatus (atomizer) makes use of an atomizing method to pulverize molten metal into metal powder. The apparatus includes a supply part (tundish) for supplying the molten metal, a nozzle provided below the supply part, a tubular member provided between the supply part and the nozzle. The tubular member is constructed to ensure that the molten metal ejected from an ejection port passes through a bore of the tubular member and then makes contact with a fluid jet. Further, the tubular member has a top end air-tightly connected to the supply part and a bottom end lying around the midway of a first flow path through which the molten metal passes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic fiber nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus mainly including a metallic fiber manufacturing apparatus (7), an ejection nozzle heater (5), a metallic fiber flying apparatus (6), a nonwoven fabric surface density control mechanism, a method for manufacturing an aluminum fiber fabric by using the metallic fiber nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a laminated aluminum material. By using the metallic fiber nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus, manufacture of a high-quality metallic fiber nonwoven fabric and manufacture of an aluminum fiber nonwoven fabric are possible. Further, manufacture of a laminated aluminum material is also possible.

Abstract: Nuclear metal or alloy particle preparation method and device; said device comprising: means to prepare a fluid mass of the metal or alloy by melting; means to put the fluid mass of the metal or metal alloy in the form of a molten metal or alloy stream; means to impart a centrifugal rotation movement to a quenching fluid and carry out the atomisation of the molten metal or metal alloy stream particles and the quick quenching of the particles; means to melt the nuclear metal or metal alloy in an inert gas atmosphere, and means to surround the molten metal or metal alloy stream by a neutral gas envelope until quenching.

Abstract: A mist of liquid coolant is introduced into the path of atomized, molten, solder droplets. The mist and other conditions within the chamber are engineered to enable the liquid coolant droplets in the mist to contract the surfaces of molten solder droplets and be flash vaporized upon contact, thereby rapidly extracting heat from the molten solder droplets and accelerating cooling and solidification to produce an enhanced solder ball as a product of this process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous fabrication of homogeneous thin flake or powder electrolyte material from inorganic salt, metallic or similar materials or from mixtures of such materials for use in Carbonate Fuel Cell (“CFC”) power plants. Electrolyte precursor powders are fed to a continuous blender type mixer using precision metering equipment that controls material feed rates. The homogenous mixture of blended powders is then fed into a high temperature melting tank in which the mixture is melted, forming the desired molten eutectic composition. The liquid eutectic melt drips from the melting tank through ceramic or metallic nozzles and splat-cools on a rotating, water-cooled metal cylinder to produce uniform size, thin flake material. The thin flake electrolyte material can be used as-is, or it may be further processed using continuous grinding and powder fabrication equipment.

Abstract: In a high-speed fabrication process for producing highly uniform metallic microspheres, a molten metal is passed through a small orifice, producing a stream of molten metal therefrom. A series of molten metal droplets forms from the break up of the capillary stream. To achieve high uniformity of the spheres and avoid defects, the droplets are cooled before being captured. Separating the droplets, by causing them to travel in different paths than their adjacent droplets, helps to facilitate the cooling of the droplets. The droplets can be separated by electrostatically charging them as they break off from the capillary stream. The droplets are then passed through an electric field, which can be produced by a pair of deflection plates. The droplets are dispersed by varying the electric field—e.g., by rotating the plates or by varying the voltage applied thereto—or by varying the electrostatic charge of the droplets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are invented for producing an amorphous metal, which can readily realize amorphous metal fine particles of sub-micron order to 100 micron order including fine particles of several micrometer of a material from which an amorphous metal cannot be realized by conventional amorphous metal producing method and apparatus, with a high yield and an excellent extraction rate. A molten metal (1) is supplied into a liquid coolant (4), boiling due to spontaneous-bubble nucleation is generated, the molten metal (1) is rapidly cooled while forming fine particles thereof by utilizing a pressure wave generated by this boiling, thereby obtaining an amorphous metal.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal filter with an improved filtering ability of removing particularly fine inclusion particles from molten aluminum or molten aluminum alloy. The internal filter includes an aggregate meshed member made of a refractory material and a coating layer formed on a surface of the aggregate meshed member. The coating layer contains a soda silicate that is able to be softened or viscous at a temperature of the molten aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of minute metallic spheres of the present invention comprises a heating means for heating and melting a metal to form a metallic sphere, a measurement means for measuring the injected molten metal into a predetermined volume, and a cooling means for cooling the molten metal discharged from the measurement means, to a temperature less than the melting point. The measurement means has a gauger of a predetermined volume in which the molten metal is injected, and is constructed such that the molten metal is cut by rubbing by the predetermined volume by sliding this gauger in contact. The molten metal is injected in the gauger of the predetermined volume to measure, and the measured molten metal is discharged from the gauger to cool to a temperature less than the melting point, and solidified into a sphere in the cooling process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are invented for producing fine particles, which can readily realize the formation of fine particles of sub-?m order to 100 micron order as well as fine particles of several micrometer which cannot be realized by a conventional method and apparatus available for producing fine particles, and a large quantity of fine particles having the desired particle diameter can be obtained with a high yield. A molten material (1), which is a molten raw material to be fragmented into fine particles, is supplied into a liquid coolant (4), boiling due to spontaneous-bubble nucleation is generated, and the molten material (1) is cooled and solidified while forming fine particles thereof by utilizing a pressure wave generated by this boiling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sublimation refining which gives a high-purity product in high yield while preventing corrosion of the apparatus, contamination of the product and change in quality of the product and to an apparatus useful for the method. The apparatus of this invention for sublimation refining comprises a heat generating unit made of a material generating heat by electromagnetic induction, sublimating unit A and collecting units B and C, respectively independently controllable in temperature by electromagnetic induction heating and the inner surface or the inner tube of the sublimating or collecting unit is made of a material like metal and ceramic inert to sublimable substances.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for jetting droplets of a particle filled viscous medium. The device has a nozzle, an eject mechanism connected to the nozzle, a medium feeding mechanism connected to the eject mechanism, a particle filled viscous medium container connected to the medium feeding mechanism, and a filter arranged between an outlet of the particle filled viscous medium container and the medium feeding mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a powdery thermoelectric material comprising a rotating disk having durability to thermal shock, having no reactivity with raw material and capable of high speed rotation, the apparatus comprising a container for mixing raw material of predetermined composition and heating and melting the same, a funnel or a pouring port for pouring the molten metal of the heat-melted raw material and a rotating disk made of silicon nitride or a material containing silicon nitride for scattering the poured molten metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of solid particles from a liquid starting material, whereby a dosed liquid particle is separated from a liquid film by means of transmission of a mechanical impulse thereto and is fed to a region in which the fluid particle is fixed and devices for carrying out said method. Said devices comprise an impulse diaphragm, an impulse mass, at least one opening for the ejection of the liquid particle, means for forming a fluid film on the surface of the impulse diaphragm, whereby the impulse diaphragm or the impulse mass are embodied as a movable actuator for the transmission of an impulse to the liquid film, an impulse drive for the generation of a high frequency force impulse and a high voltage device for guiding the ejected liquid particle along a spiral path.

Abstract: Produce metal particles offering high purity and uniform granular shape and size: by forming a combustion chamber comprising an injector nozzle for mixture gas of oxygen and hydrogen, an ignition device and a material metal feeder in the upper space of a high-pressure water tank filled with inert gas; igniting inside the combustion chamber via the ignition device the injector nozzle for mixture gas of oxygen and hydrogen and melting (vaporize) the material fed by the material metal feeder; and then causing the produced molten metal droplets to contact high-pressure water and let the resulting metallic particles to precipitate in water.

Abstract: Cooling rolls are spaced to have a gas of a size greater than thickness of metal thin bodies to be produced. A nozzle is arranged to eject molten metal onto a surface of the cooling roll. The first cooling roll quenches molten metal ejected from the nozzle into metal thin bodies. On the next cooling roll, the produced metal thin bodies are hit into flakes and excessive molten metal is made into metal thin bodies. Thus, freedom of supplying the molten metal flakes can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: In a device for atomizing liquid melts, in particular oxidic slags or glasses, including a slag tundish and an outlet opening into which a lance is immersed to inject gases or vapor while forming an annular gap, the lance (3) is comprised of two coaxial tubes (4, 5) which are separately displaceable in the axial direction and fixable in their respective axially displaced positions.

Abstract: Process and a device for producing metal powders from molten metal. The process includes directing at least three successive gas beams at a molten metal stream inside an atomization chamber, the at least three gas beams being oriented in different directions. The device includes a metallurgical vessel for holding molten metal provided with a nozzle element for discharging a molten metal stream into an atomization chamber as well as at least three gas nozzle elements for providing at least three gas beams of different orientation and directed at different points of the molten metal stream inside the atomization chamber.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for producing powder particles of extremely small, highly uniform spherical shape and high sphericity, composed of metal including single metals and alloys, including nanocomposite structures, using a self-assembling procedure. The invention further includes the produced spherical particles. The metal spherical particles are produced whereby molten metal, alloys or composites are directed onto a fast-rotating disk in an atmosphere containing one or more inert gases and small amounts of an oxidizing gas and the molten metal drops are dispersed as tiny droplets for a predetermined time using centrifugal force within a cooling-reaction gas, and then cooled rapidly to form solid spherical particles. The spherical particles comprise a crystalline, amorphous or porous composition, having a size of 1-300 &mgr;m±1% with a uniformity of size being ≦60-70% and a precise spherical shape of less than or equal to±10%.